Hame-fastener.



No. 802,908. PATENTED 00-17. 24,1905.

. Wu F. BRIER.

HAME PASTE-NEE.

APPLIOATI'ON FILED mama, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

VVILL'IAM F. BRIER, OF WOODSTOCK, ILLINOIS.

HAME- FASTENEFl.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 24, 1905.

Application filed March 5, 1904. Serial No. 196,723.

1'0 all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM F. BRIER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Woodstock, in the county of McHenry and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Hame-Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a hame-fastener wherein the parts are constructed and arranged for easy and quick manipulation to facilitate the application of hames to or detachment from a collar; and the primary object of the same is to simplify devices of this class and secure a durable and efficient fastening means of a novel construction.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the lower ends of hames, showing the improved fastener applied thereto and the parts thereof in closedposition. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the fastener.

Similarnumerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the views.

The numeral 1 designates a supporting-plate of suitable thickness having a hook 2 formed on one extremity thereof. Depending from the under side of the plate 1, near the inner end thereof, is a pair of ears 3, between which the inner end of a bell-crank lever 4: is pivotally held.- The inner end of the plate 1, as clearly shown by Fig. 1, is bent under the adjacent part of the plate, as at 5, to reinforce the same and provide an inner smooth edge to prevent wear on the part of the collar adjacent to which the said inner end of the plate may be located. The lever l has an upwardlyprojecting angular elbow 6 and an outwardlyextending operating-arm 7, which is terminally curved upwardly, as at 8, for convenience in grippingthe same to reduce the downward projection thereof as much as possible. A coupling-link 9 is used with the improved fastener and has the opposite members 10 extended towardthe elbow 6 of the lever 4 and contracted to provide a straddling bifurcation through which the ears 3 depend, the terminals of the members 10 being closely drawn together against opposite sides of the angle 11 of the elbow 6 and connected to the latter by a pivot-pin 12, the terminals pivoted to the lever being flattened, as at 13, and extended in width to render the pivotal connection for the link more durable. The link is shiftable in opposite longitudinal directions under the plate 1 by the lever 1, and attached thereto is a coupling-strap 1 1, which is passed through the lower D or eye 15 of a hame 16. This coupling-strap 1 1 is adjustable, but under ordinary normal conditions serves as a means for securing the fastener to one of the hames in convenient position for use. The hook 2 of the plate 1 is removably passed through the lower D 17 of the opposite hame 18.

In the operation of the device the lever 4: is in lowered position at the time when the hames are applied to a collar, and when the lever is so lowered the coupling-link 9 will be forced over or outwardly a greater distance beyond the inner terminal of the plate 1 than when the said lever is pushed up into locking position. The lowered adjustment of the levert and the increased outward projection of the coupling-link 9 resulting therefrom will increase the transverse extent of the fastener relatively to the distance between the Ds 15 and 17 and permit the hook 2 of the plate 1 to be readily inserted in the D 17. When the latter attachment has been made, the lever 4: is pressed upwardly toward the lower extremities of the hame, as shown by Fig. 1, and the coupling-link will be drawn over under the plate and securely fasten the lower ends of the hames, the elbow 6 of the lever causing the parts to assume the position just stated when the angle thereof is elevated above the fulcrum point therefor. When the angle of the lever 4 is above its fulcrum-point, it will be seen that accidental loosening of the lever under normal conditions will be obstructed; but by manual operation the said lever can be quickly pulled down when it is desired to detach the hames.

The improved fastener will overcome the disadvantages of ordinary connecting-straps, particularly in cold and freezing weather, and the several parts thereof being formed of metal will be more durable and efficient in resisting the pulling tension of the hames. It will be understood that the several parts of the fastening may also be rendered noncorrodible by plating the same or primarily constructing them of non-corrodible metal.

Changes in the proportions and dimensions of the several parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

Having thus fully described the invention, whatv is claimed as new is A hame-fastener comprising a supportingplate having an outwardly-bent end and a hook end, and apair of ears depending from its With a curved operating-arm, substantially as 10 specified.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

\VILLIAM F. BRIER.

Vitnesses:

DAVID N. SMILEY, G. H. HOY. 

